Fulton's last downtown shoe store to close

Fulton's last downtown shoe store to close

Gidley's last day set for Oct. 27

Gidley's Shoe Store, 521 Court St., plans to close on Oct. 27, ending 42 years of service to downtown shoe customers.

Gidley's Shoe Store, 521 Court St., plans to...

Photo by
Dean Asher

After 42 years in business in downtown Fulton, Gidley's Shoe Store, 521 Court St., plans to close on Oct. 27, owner Jody Paschal said Thursday.

Paschal said he had decided to sell or close Fulton's only downtown shoe store before he filed as a Republican candidate for Callaway County Assessor.

"The store is for sale. If it is not purchased," Paschal said, "I will close it on Saturday, Oct. 27, unless we run out of inventory before then. Sometime during October, I plan to have a going-out-of-business sale."

Until Gidley's Shoe Store closes, he said, it will continue to be open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day.

Paschal bought the store three years ago from Helen Gidley, who has continued to work full time at the store.

Gidley and her late husband Wes started the store on Court Street in 1970. It opened at 411 Court St., moved to 509 Court St. and then at its current location at 521 Court St.

"This store has been a fixture in downtown Fulton. I regret having to close it. I just cannot compete in shoe prices with online shopping and big box corporate stores," Paschal said.

"I can't express how important it is for local people to support local businesses. It's the local businesses that care about the local charities, the communities, the schools, and the students," Paschal said.